Black & Gold Bullets: November 22

On Wednesday, the Crew announced that Asher Mendelsohn would be the Black & Gold's first-ever Director of Soccer Operations. He shares Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter's vision for the future of the club and brings a wealth of experience having worked for U.S. Soccer for the past nine years. He talked with Adam Jardy from the Columbus Dispatch andTheCrew.com's Cody Sharrett about his role and what he brings to Columbus.

The other announcement on Wednesday was that former U.S. National Team player and Major League Soccer standout Josh Wolff will also join the staff as an Assistant Coach. Wolff was an assistant for D.C. United last season, but jumped at the opportunity to join his former USMNT and 1860 Munich teammate Gregg Berhalter at the Crew. As he told MLSsoccer.com's Andrew King, "It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Since 2012, MLS referees have been carrying an extra piece of equipment to keep players in line. Literally. The vanishing spray that was first used in South America has been making its mark around the globe in recent years. Now, writes Jack Bell from the New York Times, it is in the final testing stages to be used at the 2014 World Cup.

Also on the world stage, FIFA and adidas announced yesterday that they would continue their partnership that goes back to 1970. The new deal stretches until 2030, ensuring that the company that also outfits MLS clubs continues to sponsor the world's biggest tournament. Writes Pro Soccer Talk's Richard Farley, to see a different logo on the World Cup ball would be akin to, "seeing Michael Jordan lacing up a pair of Reeboks."